شهریار کارگر

Ewes show estrus signs during reproduction season the in the sheep production systems and generally, the average ewes litter size is one. Therefore, due to high cost of production, sheep production is not economic. Reproduction efficiency depends on factors such as period of the breeding season, ovulation rate, conception rate, pregnancy rate, litter size and lamb viability. The interaction effect of nutrition and environment influences all of these factors. Nutrition is one of the most important factors on the ruminant’s reproduction, which has an impact effect on the overall reproductive activity during their life. Nutrients like fat show their effect on the reproduction by changing the concentrations of plasma metabolites and hormones. Hence, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary fatty acid (FA) supplements around mating on body weight (BW) change, hormones concentration, lamb sex and birth weight and reproductive performance of Lori-Bakhtiyari ewes. One hundred and five Lori-Bakhtiyari ewes were divided into three equal groups based on age (2-4 year) and body weight (54.58 ± 1.6 kg) and randomly allocated to experimental diets (n=35). Basal diet supplemented with 10% (DM basis) calcium salt of omega-6 FA, 10% calcium salt of omega-3 FA and 10% calcium salt of saturated FA (SFA). Ewes of each group fed respective experimental diet from 30 d pre- to 30 d post-mating. Serum concentrations of hormones (insulin, estradiol and progesterone) were measured. Reproductive performance including lambing rate, twining rate, the proportion of female lambs, the proportion of male lambs, lamb birth weight and weaning weight and litter size were recorded. The results showed that feeding fat supplements did not affect on BW change of ewes. Serum concentrations of insulin, estradiol and progesterone were not influenced by the experimental diets (P > 0.05). The proportion of female lambs was higher when ewes were fed diet containing omega-6 FA compared with the other dietary groups (P < 0.05). Lambing rate, twining rate, lamb birth weight and weaning weight were not affected by different fat supplements (P > 0.05). It was concluded that feeding a diet containing calcium salts of omega-6 FA around mating, can skew the sex ratio of lambs toward females. The interaction effect of dietary FA sources with other nutrients on the sex ratio of lambs could be investigated in future research. However, further research is required to confirm these findings.

This research evaluated the blood and colostrum oxidative stress index (OSi) in newborn Holstein calves and its potential correlations with nutrient intake, growth performance, skeletal development, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Eighty-three neonatal Holstein calves were categorized based on their blood and consumed colostrum OSi levels. There were four treatment groups, i.e., 25 calves consumed low OSi colostrum that had low OSi in the blood taken 24-h after first meal consumption of colostrum (LL), 17 calves consumed low OSi colostrum that had high OSi in the blood (LH), 22 calves consumed high OSi colostrum that had low OSi in the blood (HL), and 19 calves consumed high OSi colostrum that had high OSi in the blood (HH). Upon categorization, the performance and health outcomes of the calves were thoroughly assessed. The results revealed no significant disparities among the treatment groups regarding nutrient intake and skeletal growth. Initial and final body weights, average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency had no observable differences. However, substantial differences were evident in the incidence of diarrhea (HH vs. LH, HL vs. LL, and LH vs. LL), pneumonia occurrence (HH vs. LH), and the number of days with body temperatures higher than 39.4 °C were similar across all groups. Moreover, a significant variation was noted in the duration of diarrhea, with the LL group experiencing more days under medication than the other treatment groups. Pronounced variations in calf health, particularly regarding diarrhea and pneumonia, suggesting a potential association between oxidative stress and specific health outcomes in newborn Holstein calves.

So far, changes in the vaginal microbial population during the estrous cycle have been evaluated in several livestock species such as sheep. However, changes in the rumen microbial population have not been investigated during the estrous period in sheep. In a study, the results showed that the differences in the rumen microbial population in two reproductive seasons were due to the differences caused by the reaction to day length, and nutrition did not have much effect on it. It is possible that during the reproductive and non-reproductive seasons, the animal has a different microbial population in the digestive tract. The available evidence from clinical research in animals shows that microbes in the digestive system can alter brain activity and behavior through hormonal and neural pathways. Therefore, this study mainly aims to investigate changes in the rumen microbial population during the reproductive season in the estrous period in ewes with estrus and those without estrus for any reason or are so-called anestrus. The changes in the rumen microbial population during the breeding season in the estrous period were measured for the animals showing the occurrence of estrus and those not showing this trait or were anestrous.

This research was done at the same time as the non-breeding season (late spring-beginning of July). The ewes were of Grey Shirazi breed (2-3 years old). To investigate changes in the rumen fluid microbial population in the estrus cycle in estrus and non-estrus animals, two groups of 10 animals were formed from estrus and anestrus animals with the use of teaser rams, and rumen fluid samples were collected for microbial culture and other investigations in both groups once per four days (5 times) during 17 days (like estrus cycle days). The colonies were cultured and separated using general culture media with different growth factors for anaerobic bacteria colonies, such as plate count agar, MRS agar (de Man-Rogosa - Sharpe), and starch agar. The colonies were subtracted by subtractive cultures or different diagnostic tests to identify colonies. Data were analyzed using SAS software version 1/9. Means were compared with the least square procedure and adjusted for Tukey's test.

The population difference between the two groups at 5 different times showed that the population of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the day of estrus showed a higher value and a significant difference with other times than the anestrus group. Lipolytic bacteria were higher on the day of estrus than on all days in both groups, with a significant difference. The comparison of different groups showed that the estrous group from times 1 to 5 in the breeding season had the highest number compared to the other groups at different times of the study (p < 0.05). Anestrous groups also had the lowest number at all times (p < 0.05). The comparison of the two estrus and anestrus groups showed that heat and ninth days had higher values than the other times. In comparing the average number of lipolytic colonies in the estrus group, the highest and the lowest numbers belonged to the 1st and the 4th times, respectively, which were significantly different from the other times (p < 0.05). The population of proteolytic bacteria had the highest number of bacteria at time 1 and showed the next values at times 2, 5, 3, and 4, respectively, compared to the estrus group at time 5 (p < 0.05). Time 5 was not significantly different from times 2 and 3 (p < 0.05). In this season, the estrus group was the highest and the lowest at times 1 and 4, respectively (p < 0.05). Times 3-5 were no different significantly (p < 0.05). In the anestrus group, times 3 and 1 had the highest number vs. the lowest numbers in times 2 and 5  (p < 0.05). Based on the comparison of the average population resulting from the counting of total bacterial colonies in the examination of different groups, the estrous group had the highest number of the average microbial population in all 5 times (p < 0.05). The lowest number belonged to two anestrus groups (p < 0.05). The population difference between the two groups at 5 different times showed that the population of LAB had a higher value only on the day of estrus, with a significant difference compared to the anestrous group. The population of lipolytic bacteria in two groups of estrus and anestrus in the 5 studied times showed that the estrus group had a higher and significant value than the anestrus group in the 4th time, i.e. the day of estrus and days 5, 6, and 17. The results showed that the total bacterial population was higher in the estrus group at all times, with a significant difference. Furthermore, anaerobic bacteria increased significantly in certain days of estrus (days 1-9) compared to the anestrous group. The population difference between the two groups at 5 different times indicated that the population of LAB had a higher value only on the day of estrus, with a significant difference compared to the anestrous group. The population of lipolytic bacteria in the two estrus and anestrus groups in the 5 studied times revealed that the estrus group had a higher and significant value than the anestrus group in 4 times, i.e. days of estrus, 5, 6, and 17. The total bacterial population in the estrous group was higher and significant at all times.

In general, the colony population of amylolytic and lipolytic bacteria and the total colonies of anaerobic bacteria are significantly different on days of the estrus cycle, which may affect reproduction. Accordingly, it is better to provide more understandable results of rumen microbial effects on estrus in ewes by increasing analyses such as hormonal changes and molecular investigations, along with microbial culture in estrus crops.

An increased intake of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) or n-3 fatty acids (FA) around mating is connected with improved reproductive efficiency in ewes. This experiment was aimed to study whether the ratio of female lambs was greater when Kurdish × Romanov ewes were received a diet rich in n-3 FA and RUP together around mating. Experimental diets were supplemented with 5% (DM basis) Ca salts of saturated FA (SFA), 5% Ca salts of fish oil (as n-3 FA source; n-3FO), or a combination of 5% Ca salts of fish oil and 5% fish meal (as a RUP source; n-3FO+RUP). The results showed that the proportion of total n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) in plasma increased and the n-6:n-3 decreased at CIDR removal day in animals received the n-3FO+RUP diet (P < 0.05) compared with the other diets. Plasma concentrations of oestradiol, glucose, and urea nitrogen (UN) at the day of oestrus (P < 0.05) was also lower when ewes received the n-3FO+RUP diet compared with the other diets. The ratio of female lambs was greater when ewes were fed the n-3FO+RUP diet around mating (P < 0.05) and was greater than an expected 50:50 ratio (72% females, P = 0.028). It was concluded that feeding ewes a diet rich in n-3 FA and RUP content around mating, rather than n-3 FA alone, could skew the sex ratio of lambs toward females.

The lower limit of critical temperature for a newborn calves is between 5 (from 3 weeks and later) to 15°C (up to 3 weeks). As the temperature declines below the calf's lower critical temperature, a calf requires more dietary energy supply to maintain body temperature. Hence, the main goal of this trial was to investigate milk replacer feeding level on nutrient intake, weight gain and skeletal growth in newborn Holstein calves under cold stress.

The number of twenty-four neonatal Holstein calves were randomly assigned to receive either restricted (4 L/d; RPN) or moderated (6 L/d; MPN) milk replacer plane of nutrition. Calves were weaned on d 61 and remained in the study until d 91. Milk replacer intake, starter feed intake, and ambient temperature were measured daily. Body weight was measured immediately before initiation of study and every 10 d thereafter. The average daily gain (g of BW gain/d) was computed as the difference between BW recorded at 10-d intervals divided by 10. Body frame size was measured immediately before initiation of study, at weaning, and at the end of the trial.

Nutrient intake originating from milk replacer were greater in MPN fed calves before weaning (P < 0.001); however, nutrient intake originating from starter feed and also total nutrient intake (except for crude fat and ME) were not affected by treatment groups before and after weaning. Average daily gain was greater in MPN fed calves (P = 0.04). Body weight gain before and after weaning and over the study period was greater in MPN (P = 0.01). Withers height (at the end of trial), body barrel (at weaning and at the end of trial), hip height (before weaning and overall period), and hip width (after weaning and overall period) gained more in MPN fed calves (P ≤ 0.05).

Changing the feeding level of milk replacer did not affect starter feed intake before and after weaning but calves fed with medium level of milk replacer hand more weight and skeletal growth. In general, feeding a moderated level of milk replacer is recommended in newborn Holstein calves under cold stress conditions.

Lower critical temperature for a neonatal dairy calf ranges from 5 to 15°C. As the temperature drops below the calf's lower critical temperature, calf needs more dietary energy to maintain body temperature. If calves are fed the same amount of milk as under moderate environmental conditions, less energy will be available to support growth. In most small and medium holder Iranian farms, dairy calves are usually fed 4 L/d (equivalent to approximately 10% of birth weight) of liquid feed in fixed amounts until they are weaned on 60 d old. The aim of present experiment was to investigate the effect of milk replacer plane of nutrition (restricted vs. moderated; 4 vs. 6 L/d) on starter feed intake patterns, feeding behavior, and health in cold-stressed neonatal Holstein calves.

Twenty-four (n = 12 calf/treatment; 3 d old) newborn female Holstein calves (40.1 ± 0.84 kg; BW ± SE) were randomly assigned to receive either restricted (4 L/d; RPN) or moderated (6 L/d; MPN) milk replacer (21% crude protein, 17% fat, and 43% lactose on a dry matter basis) plane of nutrition. Calves were reared outdoor in individual pens with a mean ambient temperature of 3°C during the experiment. Calves were fed milk replacer twice daily at 0800 and 1700 h in pens bedded with wheat straw. Milk replacer intake, starter feed intake, fecal score (on a 1–5 score system), and ambient temperature were measured daily. All calves were visually observed (every 5 min) to monitor the eating, ruminating, resting, standing, lying, drinking, and non-nutritive oral behaviors for a 8-h period (between 0900 and 1700 h) once per 3 successive d before weaning (d 50–52 of the trial) as well as once per 3 successive d after weaning (d 83–85 of the trial). Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare feed intake and feeding behaviors between treatment groups, and logistic regression model using a binomial distribution (PROC GLIMMIX) was used to assess the chance of diarrhea (≥3) and needs to medication before weaning. Poisson regression model (PROC GENMOD) was also used to test group differences in frequency and duration of diarrhea and days medicated before weaning.

Milk replacer dry matter intake and average daily gain were greater in MPN vs. RPN fed calves. Meal pattern including meal frequency (6.0 bouts/8-h), meal length (10.7 min), inter-meal interval (80.1 min), eating rate (14.5 g of starter feed/min), and meal size (154.5 g of starter feed/bout) and rumination pattern including the number of bouts (3.8 bouts/8-h), rumination duration (17.1 min), and interval between rumination bouts (129.2 min) were not affected by treatment groups. Time spent ruminating and time devoted to drinking were greater in MPN vs. RPN calves. Meal frequency, meal length, eating rate, meal size, rumination duration and time for standing were greater but inter-meal interval and time for lying were lower during the post- vs. pre-weaning period. Non-nutritive oral behaviors and diarrhea frequency were not affected by experimental treatments. Calves receiving RPN vs. MPN had lower chance of diarrhea and greater chance of medication. Days with diarrhea and medication days were shorter in RPN vs. MPN fed calves.

Feeding MPN increased average daily gain in cold stressed calves. The lack of significant different in starter intake between experimental treatments was probably due to the lack of difference in the number and size of the meals. Although the calves fed MPN experienced higher chance of diarrhea with longer duration, but the incidence of diarrhea was not affected by the level of milk replacer feeding.

This experiment was aimed to study the effect of mixture of garlic oil and sunflower oil in diet containing equal ratio of concentrate to forage. The mixture of garlic oil and sunflower oil was added at 2% of diet DM. Gas production parameters, pH, N-ammonia and total protozoa population were measured and metabolizable energy (ME), short -chain fatty acid (SCFA) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) was estimated. The results showed that the mixture of garlic oil and sunflower oil increased gas production (128.64 vs 108.51 mL, P<0.05) but had no significant effect on gas production rate, half-life and lag phase. The addition of the mixture of garlic oil and sunflower oil to diet, increased OMD, SCFA and ME in compare to the control diet (P<0.05). The concentration of Ammonia-N, pH, total protozoa population, Entodinium, Diplodinium and Ophryoscolex population did not affected by the inclusion of the oil mixture. It is concluded that the addition of a mixture of garlic oil and sunflower oil not only had no negative effect on rumen fermentation but also, improved some of the fermentation parameters.

Mature milk is the most complete feed for weaning calf, but use of liquid feeds such as milk replacers, transition milk (TM) and waste milk results in maximum benefit due to their lower cost. This experiment was aimed to study the effect of extended transition milk feeding on nutrients intake, feeding behavior and rumination pattern of f Holstein dairy calves.

Calves were enrolled in the study in chronological order according to their birth date. During 21 consecutive days, calves were enrolled in the individual pens (4 calves daily; one calf per treatment per day) progressively as born. A total of 84 healthy newborn female Holstein calves (3days of age; BW = 35.8 ± 0.56 kg) were randomly allocated to four experimental groups. Four groups included:1- TM0, daily pooled 6 l pasteurized waste milk , 2- TM0.5, a daily mixture of 5.5 l pooled pasteurized waste milk with 0.5 l pooled pasteurized TM, 3- TM1, a daily mixture of pooled pasteurized waste milk with 1 l pooled pasteurized TM, and 4- TM2, a daily mixture of 4 l pooled pasteurized waste milk with 2 l pooled pasteurized TM. Treatments were applied for a 21-day period and all calves were then fed individually with 6 l/day pooled pasteurized waste milk till day 60. Individual daily feed intake, particle size intake of starter diet, sorting index and feeding behavior were determined.

The results showed that the interaction of period and level of TM and level of MT had no effect on starter nutrients intake. However, intake of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, non -fibrous carbohydrates and ether extract were higher in post weaning period that pre weaning period for all of experimental groups. Feed sorting index data showed that calves selected for feed particle with 2.36 mm and calved fed TM0 had the highest sorting value for particle size 2.36 mm. Particle size intake of starter diet nutrients were not different among experimental groups. The interaction of period and level of TM had no significant effect on feeding behavior and meal pattern. However, meal interval was affected by the interaction of period and level of TM, so that calves received 1 L TM had the greatest meal interval. Furthermore, calves received 2 L TM had the highest eating time.

The results showed that mature milk could be replaced by TM in dairy calf nutrition without any negative effect on dry matter intake and feeding behavior.

The antibacterial and antifungal effects of pomegranates peel and seeds are associated with the presence of phenolic compounds (flavonoids and tannin). These compounds accumulate in the skin and pomegranate juice and account for 92% of the antioxidant activity of pomegranates (Abid et al. 2017). Total tannins for pomegranate peel and pulp were reported to be 9.73 and 0.66%, respectively (Delavare et al. 2014). The different species of pomegranate have antibacterial and antifungal properties that can influence on a wide range of microorganisms (Carlton et al. 2000). Phenolic compounds in plants and foods by changing the gut microbial population can increase the amount of useful bacteria and reduce harmful bacteria (Katiyar 2002). It has been found that intestinal microflora plays a critical role in the health of the digestive tract and is dependent on the ration as the final source for metabolism of organic compounds. (Choct et al. 1996). To our knowledge, the effects of pomegranate by-products have been investigated on livestock and rumen function, however their effects on the intestinal microflora in ruminants have not been addressed. Therefore, due to the high concentration of tannins and phenolic compounds in the pomegranate by-products and their effect on intestinal microflora, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pomegranate pomace silage and pomegranate air-dried pomace on intestinal microflora in Mehraban fattening lambs.

Nine male lamb of Mehraban breed (mean weight of 27.03±3.5 kg and mean age of 187.8±1.4 d), were fed on three iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets. Diets were balanced according to NRC (2007) recommendation including control diet, diet contain 27% pomegranate pulp silage (mixture of seed and pulp at equal ratio) and diet contain 31% air-dried pomegranate seed pulp. All three diets were fed for 60 d after 3 weeks for adaptation in individual pens with free access to salts lick and water. At the end of experiment all lambs were slaughtered and after than for enumeration of intestinal fluoromicrobes, one gram freshly digested specimens of ileum and cecum were collected. Samples were spread on the surface of agar medium. Colonies were counted by ophthalmic count and bacterial count was calculated as CFU/g (number of colonies per gram). The MRS agar and MacConkey (MC) medium were used for identification and enumeration of Lactobacillus spp and Escherichia coli respectively. All samples were incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. All colonies were enumerated and recorded as CFU/g of culture suspension. For confirmation of Escherichia coli detection on MacConkey agar medium, polymerase change reaction (PCR) was conducted as DNA extraction using commercial kit (Bioneer, Sout Korea), polymerase change reactions, and electrophoresis of PCR products. Detection of molecular bacteria was done using the primers of 23S rRNA gene PCR. The PCR process was initial denaturation at 94 ºC for 2 minutes and totally 35 cycles, denaturation at 94 ºC for 45 seconds, and extension at 72 ºC for 2 minutes. All data was analyzed as a complete randomized design using SPSS software. Significant difference for means was considered at 0.05 level of differences.

The results of this study showed that in MRS medium either in ilium or cecum, the number of lactobacillus bacteria in all groups were not statistically significant. The mean number of Escherichia coli decreased due to feeding of pomegranate by-products (P<0.05), while the type of pomegranate by-product has not significant effect on number of Escherichia coli. The importance role of gut microflora is well recognized in GIT health, although population of gut microbes has been influenced by diet (Choct et al 1996). In contrast of useful effects of lactobacillus on GIT, Escherichia coli damages the intestine of animals and produces lipopolysaccharide (Munyaka et al. 2012). Tannins are considered as a toxin to microorganisms; these compounds in the soluble environment produce some stable complexes, mainly with protein and to a lesser extent with carbohydrates or some physiological ions elements such as iron and copper (Chung and Chou 1998). The pomegranate peel extract at different levels has antimicrobial effect against microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans (Ahmed et al. 2013). The phenolic materials in pomegranate fruit, are responsible for the antimicrobial properties of pomegranates (Seeram et al. 2006). In the present study, reduction of Escherichia coli population in lambs fed pomegranate by-products can be attributed to the adverse effect of phenolic substances in the pomegranate byproducts on Escherichia coli population. Several mechanisms have been introduced for antimicrobial properties of phenolic compounds in the pomegranate. Phenolic substances, with high molecular weight proteins, form complexes and by these complexes can react to the some cytoplasmic and membrane enzymes after absorption (Seeram et al. 2006). These complexes can also prevent cell surface receptors from attachment of harmful microorganisms (Cowan 1999). Phenolic compounds can react with the cellular proteins of microorganisms, alter cell wall structure and function (Hugo and Bloomfield 1971), reducing cell wall permeability and reducing substrate transport to cells (Goel et al. 2005). In addition, phenolic compounds can alter or denature some microbial enzymes, and also form complexes with certain nutrients and remove them from microorganisms (Hugo and Bloomfield 1971). The decline of Escherichia coli can also be attributed to the increase in the number of Lactobacillus; because by increasing the Lactobacillus and consequently increasing the production of lactic acid and creating an acidic environment, the population of Escherichia coli is reduced due to sensitivity of Escherichia coli to acidic environment (Hammer et al. 1999).

Feeding of the pomegranate pomace silage and air-dried pomegranate pomace in fattening lambs, decreased the population of Escherichia coli in ileum and cecum, although lactobacillus bacteria was not affected by pomegranate by-products. It seems that the tannins and phenolic compounds present in the pomegranate can effect on Escherichia coli population in ileum and cecum.

This experiment was aimed to study the effect of bacterial inoculant on some in vitro fermentation parameters and quality characteristics of barley silage. Prosage bacterial inoculant (a mixture of Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium and Propionibacterium acidophilus) was added at three (0, 5, and 10 mg/kg of silage dry matter) levels to barley silages. Silage quality traits including dry matter (DM), pH and buffering capacity were measured and fleig point was calculated. In vitro gas production potential, gas production rate and lag time were measured. Furthermore, total protozoa population and N-ammonia concentration of experimental silages were measured and metabolizable energy, short chain fatty acids and organic matter digestibility were estimated. Results showed that buffering capacity, fleig point and pH of experimental silages were not affected by bacterial inoculant (P>0.05), however, barley silage containing 5 mg bacterial inoculant had greater dry matter content (30.24 vs 28.07 and 28.67 %, P<0.05) compared with the control and silage containing 10 mg of bacterial inoculant. Furthermore, bacterial additive had no effect on gas production parameters and total protozoa population, N-ammonia concentration, estimated metabolizable energy, short chain fatty acids and in vitro organic matter digestibility (P>0.05). Based on the current experiment, use of bacterial additive for the preparation of barley silage is not recommended due to its costs.

Digestibility of feeds can be measured using in vivo (direct method) and in vitro methods. The aim of this study was to measured chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of dried pomegranate seed pulp and pomegranate by-products silage by gas production technique. This research was conducted in the Department of Animal Sciences, Shiraz University. The experimental diets include dried pomegranate seed pulp (DPS), pomegranate seed pulp silage (fresh pomegranate seed pulp with 2% urea; FPS), pomegranate pulp silage (mixture of same amount of peel and seed pulp with 2% urea and 3% wheat straw; PPS+U), and the same silage mixture without urea (PPS). The chemical composition (protein, fat, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF)) and volume of gas production were measured. The results showed the highest percentage of protein (23.33) and fat (16.75) were found in PPS+U and FPS, respectively. The dried pomegranate seed pulp had the maximum amount of NDF and ADF. The maximum gas production volume during 24 hours was found in dried pomegranate seed pulp. The constant gas production rate per hour (c) was not significantly different between the treatments, but other fermentation parameters were higher in DPS than other samples. In general, our results showed that DSP, despite higher amount of NDF, has higher gas production and more energy, and also the PPS+U, is an appropriated protein feed, that these two pomegranate by-products can be tested in in vivo studies by replacement for some part of the forage and concentrate in ruminant rations.

The effects of different levels of fish oil on productive and reproductive performance as well as serum biochemical indices in female Chukar partridges were evaluated. Thirty-six 1.5-year-old laying Chukar partridges and 12 age-matched males (female: male ratio of 3:1) were divided to four experimental groups (three replicates of three birds each) in a completely randomized, to orally receive 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mL of fish oil on a daily basis for 21 successive days where the control birds received 0.3 mL normal saline solution only as the sham control group. The birds had a free access to feed and fresh water and were weighed weekly. The eggs (n=271) were collected once per two hours during the photophase (8 times daily) for the last 21 days of the treatment period (from 7 through 28 d of experiment). Blood samples were collected on d 0, 10, and 21 of the trial to analyze selected biochemical attributes. Although administration of 0.2 mL fish oil increased the egg production and fertility rate, the difference was not significant as compared to the control group (p> 0.05). Feed intake, body weight, and daily weight gain were not influenced by the different levels of fish oil. A significant decrease in egg weight was detected in fish oil-fed birds where partridges receiving 0.2 mL fish oil recorded the lowest egg weight among the experimental groups (p< 0.05). Similarly, the birds administered with different levels of fish oil had lower serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to the control group where the lowest records were found for 0.3 mL fish oil level. The interaction effect of fish oil level and time on serum total cholesterol was significant (p=0.02). The serum levels of LDL and glucose were decreased in partridges receiving 0.3 mL fish oil (p<0.05). No significant changes in the serum concentration of VLDL, HDL, total protein, calcium, and phosphorus were found during the trial. Data suggested that oral exposure of Chukar partridge to 0.2 mL of fish oil had poitive effect on egg production and fertility rate. However, egg weight was decreased. Oral administration of 0.3 mL of fish oil may decrease serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and glucose in partridges.

Diarrhea is one of the most common diseases in young dairy calves. This disease results in economic loss on dairy farms. So, fighting this disease needs more researches. Addition of high fiber byproduct to calf starter diet may have beneficial effect on preventing calf diarrhea. Furthermore, plane of milk or milk replacer during weaning could impact calf health. We hypothesized that partially replacing corn grain with high-fiber byproducts (sugar beet pulp) would decrease the incidence and severity of common calf diseases, diarrhea and pneumonia. As two diseases often occur in dairy calves and decreases dry matter intake and average daily gain. In addition, their occurrences, usually needs medication, consequently increase farm costs. Hence, the purpose of this research was to examine the effect of substituting corn grain as a source of starch with sugar beet pulp as a high fiber feed in starter diet and high plane of milk replacer nutrition on health status Holstein calves during pre-weaning period.

Forty-eight neonate calves (3-d old; 40.1 ± 0.84 kg BW) were assigned to four experimental groups, in a randomized completely design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangements. Experimental factors include two starter diets containing steam-flaked corn grain and sugar beet pulp and two plane of milk replacer nutrition including low plane (4 L milk) and high plane (8 L milk). So, the experimental groups including 1- calves received corn grain diet and low plane of milk replacer nutrition, 2- calves received corn grain diet and high plane of milk replacer nutrition, 3- calves received sugar beet pulp diet and low plane of milk replacer nutrition and 4- calves received sugar beet pulp diet and high plane of milk replacer nutrition. Calves rectum temperature was recorded daily and fecal score and general health signs were determined.

The results showed that calves fed diet containing beet pulp in comparison to calves fed diet containing corn grain had lower chance to develop pneumonia, but higher to diarrhea. Increasing plane of milk replacer nutrition had no effect on developing diarrhea, but calves fed high plane of milk replacer nutrition in comparison to calves fed low plane of milk replacer nutrition had higher chance to develop pneumonia. General appearance (score ≥2) and frequency and duration of diarrhea and pneumonia were not different between experimental groups, but calves received sugar beet pulp diet and low plane of milk replacer nutrition in comparison to other experimental groups experienced fewer days to high rectal temperature.

It is concluded that calves fed diet containing beet pulp due to higher diarrhea occurrence and duration, greater medical cost for pneumonia and less general appearance, had lower performance in comparison to calves fed diet containing corn grain. Milk replacer plane of nutrition had no effect on diarrhea.

This experiment was aimed to study the effect of Ferula assa foetida essential oil or Artemisia aucheri essential oil in diets containing different concentrate ratios (40 and 60% of DM) on in vitro fermentation kinetic and acidosis induction. Essential oils were added at 0.05% of diet DM. Gas production parameters, pH, N-ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations and total protozoa population were measured and organic matter digestibility (OMD) was estimated. The effect of Ferula assa foetida and Artemisia aucheriessential oils on prevention of in vitro acidosis induction was measured. The results showed that the interaction of diets and essential oils had no significant effect on in vitro gas production parameters, N-ammonia concentration, pH, total VFA, acetate, propionate and valerate concentrations, total protozoa population, Entodinium, Diplodinium,and Ophryoscolex population. The interaction of diets and essential oils on estimated OMD was significant (92.64 vs. 83.1 %, p < /em><0.05), and diet containing low concentrate level without essential oils had the lowest estimated OMD. Essential oils reduced gas production, total protozoa population and N-ammonia concentration (p < /em><0.05). Results of Ferula and Artemisia essential oils on prevention of in vitro acidosis induction showed that both essential oils prevent acidosis induction. It was concluded that Ferula and Artemisia essential oils improved rumen fermentation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of replacing alfalfa hay (AH) with corn silage (CS) in the finely ground starter diet on health status and blood biochemical parameters of male Holstein calves during pre-weaning period. Thirty (3-d old) newborn calves (40.2 ± 1.28 kg body weight) were assigned randomly to three experimental groups receiving starter diets containing 10% (on dry matter basis) AH (Control), 5% AH and 5% CS, and 10% CS. The starter diets had the same nutrient composition but dry matter content was highest and lowest in Control and 10% CS groups, respectively. Blood concentration of albumin was higher in calves fed 5% CS diet compared with calves fed Control or 10% CS diets (P ≤ 0.05). Compared with calves on other treatments, calves on Control group were more susceptible to develop diarrhea or pneumonia (P ≤ 0.05) and thereby had lower chance to be treated. No difference was observed among treatment groups for frequency and medication days of diarrhea or pneumonia, but duration of diarrhea was higher in calves on Control group compared with other treatments (P ≤ 0.05). Based on obtained results, feeding CS containing diets (5 or 10%) to male Holstein calves during the preweaning period may have a potential to improve calf health and to decrease costs related to drugs and medication

This Experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effect of physical form of the concentrate and buffer type on the rumen and blood parameters and microbial protein synthesis in fattening Dalagh lambs. Twenty eight lambs with an average of 28±2.7 kg and 5 month age were used in a completely randomized design with 2×2 factorial arrangement. Treatments included: 1- pelleted concentrate+sesquisodium carbonate, 2- pelleted concentrate+sodium bicarbonate, 3- mash concentrate + sesquisodium carbonate and 4- mash concentrate+sodium bicarbonate. Sampling from rumen fluid and blood sampling was carried out on days 42 and 84 of experiment. On day 70 of the experiment, 3 lambs were transferred to the metabolic cages for sampling and collecting urine. The results showed that ruminal pH was higher in the treatment of mash concentrate +sesquisodium carbonate in three hours after feeding (P<0.05). The experimental treatments had no effect on ruminal ammonia concentration, protozoan number and microbial population (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the concentration of blood minerals except calcium. Calcium concentration was higher in pelleted concentrate+sodium bicarbonate and mash concentrate + sesquisodium carbonate than other treatments (P<0.05). Purine derivatives and total excretion and absorption of purine derivatives from urine and the amount of microbial protein synthesis in rumen significantly increased in pellet concentrate and sodium bicarbonate (P<0.05).

This experiment was aimed to study the effect of multi enzyme and bacterial inoculant on chemical composition and fermentation parameters of barley silage. Robovio multi enzyme was added at three levels, 0, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of barley dry matter (DM) and Prosage bacterial inoculant (a mixture of Lactobacillus buchneri,Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium and Propionibacterium acidophilus) was added at three levels, 0, 5 and 10 mg/kg of silage DM. Chemical composition, in vitro gas production, protozoa population and protein fractions of experimental silages were measured. Results showed that multi enzyme addition decreased NDF (P<0.05), pH, ash, B2 and C fractions (P<0.01) and increased A and B3 fractions (P<0.01) compared to the control. Barley silage containing 5 mg bacterial inoculant had greater DM, pH and B2 fraction (P<0.01) and lower C fraction compared to the control and silage containing 10 mg of bacterial inoculant. Protozoa population, N-ammonia concentration, estimated metabolizable energy, short chain fatty acids and in vitro organic matter digestibility were not affected (P>0.05).  Based on these results use of bacterial and multi enzyme additives for the preparation of wilted barley silage is not recommended due to their costs.

An adequate supply of good-quality food is essential for human health and well-being. Milk and meat products derived from ruminants represent important sources of nutrients in human diets, providing energy, high quality protein, and essential minerals and vitamins. Nutritional quality is increasingly an important consideration in food choices, because of the growing consumer awareness of the link between diet and health. Many foods contain micro-components (i.e. conjugated linoleic acid, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and odd- and branched chain fatty acids) that have beneficial effects beyond those associated with their traditional nutrient content, and these are often referred as functional food components (Bauman et al., 2006). The epidemic of obesity in most highly developed countries has led to an understandable public health emphasis on low fat, low energy diets, and has provided a major stimulus for development of low fat products and fat substitutes as a means of reducing the prevalence of coronary heart disease. However, recent research suggests that there is a need to consider the quality as well as the quantity of fat in human diets (Williams, 2000). According to the recent reports, coronary heart disease is one of the most important factors affecting human mortality in the world which is associated with human feed regime (Bauman et al., 2006). This type of disease is a serious menace for human societies and scientific societies with different disciplines should have a collaboration to reduce the probability of occurrence of such disease. Accordingly, as a practical approach, production and supply of enough amounts of functional foods (dairy products) would be able to play a fundamental role in human health and well-being. Conjugated linoleic acid and its precursor is existed in ruminant animal driven products like milk and meat which have anticarcinogenic, anti-platelets accumulation, anti-obesity, anti-oxidant, and immune system modulation properties (Bessa et al., 2000; Williams, 2000). Furthermore, the beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake (especially eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) on heart health, and avoiding diabetes (type 2), high blood pressure, cancer, and disorders of the nervous system have been reported (Williams, 2000). Unfortunately, the current human diet is very high in omega-6 fatty acids (the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is 20–30:1 instead of the traditional range of 1–2:1) because of the indiscriminate recommendation to substitute omega-6 fatty acids for saturated fats to lower serum cholesterol concentrations (Simopoulos, 1999). Intake of omega-3 fatty acids is much lower today because of the decrease in fish consumption and the industrial production of animal feeds rich in grains containing omega-6 fatty acids, leading to production of milk and meat rich in omega-6 and poor in omega-3 fatty acids. Hence, it is necessary to find possible and potential approaches to increase contents of conjugated linoleic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and other bio-active components in a safe, cheap, and easily available dairy products like milk. Despite this, consumer willingness to pay is another key factor that will affect industry interest (due to imposing some additional costs) to produce and supply of milk with functional food properties. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to investigate consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for a milk with functional food properties in Shiraz, Fars province and also, study of factors influencing this willingness. The data applied in this study were collected through a Contingent Valuation (CV) survey in 2017 in Shiraz, Fars province. in this study, 279 questionnaires were evaluated using the Cochran method and pretest information. The questionnaire was divided into four sections. In the first section information about milk with functional food properties was given. The second section consisted of questions regarding personal information about the respondent and respondent’s socio economic status such as, age, gender, income and education. The next section contained attitudinal questions to extract information about respondent’s attitude about this milk, as their attitude was evaluated by offering five options: very high, high, medium, low, and very low; and the fourth section sought information about respondent’s willingness to pay for this milk. In this study, variables such as age, gender, family number, education, income, marital status, employment and monthly frequency of use were used to estimate Tobit and line regression models (two step Heckman model). Except of age, family number and monthly frequency of use, all explanatory variables were binary (zero or one) and integers. After extracting the necessary data from 279 questionnaires, socio-economic characteristics are reported in Table 1,2, 3 and 4. Before proceeding to the results, general information should be obtained from the sample. The purpose of the estimated model was to measure the impact of the most relevant explanatory factors on the consumer WTP. The result of estimation reported in tables 4. Respondents indicate that milk health, milk quality, and prices are the most important factors to increase milk demand consumption. One hundred forty-three respondents think that the milk production stage is an important factor in controlling healthy milk. Based on these results, one of the most important factors that influence the WTP is the monthly frequency of milk use (1.5). Marginal effects and elasticity of explanatory variables on WTP probabilities were shown in Table 4. The marginal effect of family income indicated that 1 unit increasing on income, increased 5.6 ×10-8 unit probability of WTP. Education variables is significant at 5% level and has positive relationship with the probability on WTP. Result indicate that education change one to upper level, increased 0.042unit probability of WTP .one unit on monthly frequency of milk consumption Increased 0.052 unit probability of WTP (marginal effects) and 1% increased on monthly frequency of milk consumption 0.212 percentage probability of WTP increased (elasticity). Generally, women are more concerned with health issues than men, and therefore have a relatively higher WTP for this milk. Consumers with a higher level of education and the higher average household income will be willing to pay a greater price for milk with functional food properties. Young people compared to older have a relatively higher WTP for this milk, because disease prevention is most important for young people. This research revealed that educational level of household head had positive effect on WTP. The results of models reveal that all the factors hypothesized to positively influence consumers WTP, except for gender, age and family number factor. Consumers were willing to pay an additional 2784 Rials for food safety, which will account 19% increased price compared to the normal milk.

In sheep fattening, due to diets that contain high concentrate and low forage, it is possible to reduce the balance of the rumen environment. According to researches, the activity of rumen enzymes also varies with regard to the rumen status, especially pH, and the inherent nature of buffers in improving the rumen's environmental conditions, as well as the possible effect of the physical form of the concentrate on ruminal activity. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the physical form of the concentrate (pellet and mash) and buffer type of ration (bicarbonate sodium and sesquisodium carbonate) on the activity of some ruminal hydrolytic enzymes including carboxymethyl cellulase, microcrystalline cellulase, Filter paper decomposition activity, protease and alpha amylase in different segments of rumen fluid (including solid, extracellular and intracellular sections) and nitrogen retention and blood hematology of Dalagh fattening lambs.

In order to investigate the effect of the physical form of the concentrate and the buffer type of diet on the activity of some hydrolytic ruminal enzymes, nitrogen retention and blood hematology in Dalagh fattening lambs, used 28 male lambs in 6±1.2 months and average weight of 28±2.7. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement and a 98-day period (14 days of adaptation and 84 days of the main period) with 4 treatments and 7 replications. Rumen fluid sampling was performed to measure the activity of some hydrolytic enzymes during the final week of the experiment. Also, on day 60, 4 lambs were randomly selected from each treatment and transferred to metabolic cages. After 3 days of adaptation, for 6 consecutive days, the urine and faces were collected so that the nitrogen balance was also measured using nitrogen consumption and excretion It was estimated through urine and faces. To determine the blood parameters, in final day, 3 hours after the morning feeding, blood was taken from the vein and immediately transferred to the laboratory. Blood parameters such as white blood cells, neutrophils, eosinophil’s, lymphocytes and monocytes were measured and red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean blood cell counts, mean hemoglobin, and mean hemoglobin concentration were also determined.

Based on the results, change in physical form of the concentrate and the buffer type did not have a significant effect on the activity of the total carboxymethyl cellulase enzymes, microcrystalline cellulase, and activity of filter paper decomposition, alpha amylase and protease. Although the experimental diets have been effective in the activity of various segments protease enzymes and filter paper decomposition activity. This effect has not been sufficient to alter the overall activity of these enzymes. In relation to nitrogen balance, no significant difference was found between nitrogen intake, total nitrogen and nitrogen retention in experimental groups, and only excreted nitrogen through feces under the influence of sesquisodium carbonate buffer increased compared to those receiving sodium bicarbonate buffer. Also, no significant differences were found between the hematological parameters of the lambs.

This study showed that the physical form of the concentrate and the buffer type had a significant difference in the activity of the total carboxymethyl cellulase enzymes, microcrystalline cellulase, activity of filter paper decomposition, alpha amylase and protease and nitrogen balance, as well as there are no, between hematology parameters

Understanding the regulation of milk fat biosynthesis is vital to the development of nutritional strategies to increase the nutritional value of milk, reduce milk-energy out-put and improve the energy balance of lactating cows. The objective of this study was to determine the most important fatty acids affecting milk fat of Holstein cows using feature selection algorithm. Feature selection algorithm is one of the data mining methods which is used to determine the most effective and best-known parameters predicting targeted trait. A total of 3072 raw data and three important methods of feature selection with six models was used. Data was analyzed using the WEKA Software (v. 3.8). Results indicated that Ranker method of feature selection algorithm is the most appropriate method to select the most important fatty acids affecting milk fat using LMT classification with minimized error. Accordingly, n-3 C20:3 (eicosatrienoic acid), n-6 C20:2 (eicosadienoic acid), total trans C16:1, trans-10 C16:1, trans-6, 7, 8 C16:1, total trans monounsaturated fatty acids, trans-11, cis-15 C18:2, total trans C18:1, n-6 C20:4, and cis-12 C18:1 were determined as the most important fatty acids affecting milk fat. Feature selection algorithm showed that fatty acids other than trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid and trans-10 C18:1 is associated with milk fat biosynthesis which is necessary to be further characterized their biological importance in the next future studies.

Heat-stressed dairy cows are bioenergetically similar to early-lactation cows in that dietary energy may be insufficient to support maximum milk and production of milk components. Milk yield of heat-stressed dairy cows is usually decreased during the summer; therefore, increasing performance of cows is of particular interest. Fat supplementation is a common practice for increasing energy density in diets fed to high-producing dairy cows without sacrificing fiber content. In a very limited research studies, the use of Casalts of unsaturated fatty acids vs. saturated palm fatty acids has been investigated in the diet of heat-stressed dairy cows. Also, it has been shown that response to fat supplement can be related to production level. Hence, the object of this experiment was to investigate the effect of production level, source of fat supplement, and their interaction on milk yield and milk composition, nutrient digestibility, and blood biochemical parameters of heat-stressed primiparous Holstein cows.
Fifty-six primiparous Holstein cows were used in two separated group pens. Animals were blocked into two groups of high- (13474.7 kg) and medium-yielding (10438.1 kg) cows according to milk production and received one of two experimental diets containing either high palmitic acid palm fat or Ca-salts of unsaturated fatty acids both at 2.8 percentage of dietary dry matter. Temperature-humidity index and milk yield were recorded daily, and milk composition, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and complete blood count were measured every two weeks.
The average maximum temperature-humidity index was 75.50 over the experimental period that indicates cows experienced a mild to medium degree of heat stress. Main treatment effects interacted for raw milk yield (P = 0.03), 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield (P = 0.02), and milk fat yield (P = 0.02). Production performance and milk fat yield was greater for high-yielding cows fed palm fat relative to high-yielding cows fed Ca-salts of fatty acids, whereas source of fat supplement did not affect milk yield and milk fat yield in medium-yielding cows. Source of fat supplement did not affect nutrient digestibility. Irrespective of production level, concentration of blood cholesterol was greater for cows fed palm fat relative to cows fed Ca-salts of fatty acids. Also, concentrations of tri-glyceride, high density lipoproteins, very low density lipoproteins, and blood urea nitrogen tended to increase in cows fed palm fat. Source of fat supplement did not affect blood cells count (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) and differential white cell count.
Source of fat supplement did not affect production performance of heat-stressed medium-yielding cows but palm fat supplement increased milk and milk fat production in high-yielding cows.

Monitoring the milk components of a herd can help assess the health and nutritional status of lactating cows. Fat is one of the most valuable components of milk. Milk fat (proportion and total amount) is typically the most variable component in milk which is influenced by various physiological and environmental factors. A herd milk fat test below 0.3% of breed average can indicate a problem situation. Therefore, diets that allow for an improvement in milk fat output would potentially be economically advantageous. In order to maintain milk fat, it is necessary to identify, monitor, and measure the most important factors influencing milk fat. Feature selection algorithm is one of data mining methods and to the best of our knowledge no available literature to use this algorithm to refine most contributing factors affecting milk fat in Holstein dairy cows. Objective of this study was to determine the most important factors affecting milk fat of Holstein cows using feature selection algorithm.
In the current study, a total of 2112 raw data obtained from 66 factors (which might potentially able to affect milk fat) was used. Data was evaluated by the three important methods (Best-First, Greedy-Stepwise, and Ranker methods) and six models (CFS-Subset-Eval, Info-Gain-Attribute-Eval, Gain-Ratio-Attribute-Eval, Symmetricer-Attribute-Eval, RelifeF-Attribute-Eval, Principal-Components) of feature selection algorithm. Data was analyzed using the WEKA Software (v. 3.8).
Results indicated that both Best-First and Gready-Stepwise methods of feature selection algorithm are the most appropriate methods to select efficient factors affecting milk fat using Naive Bayes classification with minimized error. Accordingly, blood non-esterified fatty acid, total volatile fatty acids of rumen fluid, ether-extract intake, time spent rumination per kilogram of neutral detergent fiber intake, time spent rumination per kilogram of forage neutral detergent fiber intake, total chewing time per kilogram of neutral detergent fiber intake, body weight, body condition score, back fat thickness, and blood glucose were the most important factors affecting milk fat.
It is possible to monitor and measure of some limited factors selected by feature selection to efficiently maintain milk fat on-farm and save time and cost.

Introduction High-producing dairy cows require large amounts of concentrates that are rich in energy and crude protein to meet their nutrient requirements. Cereal grains and oil supplements are commonly used for increasing energy density of diets fed to high-producing dairy cows. Dietary grain source (barley vs. corn) and oil supplement (soybean- vs. fish oil) resulted in varied dry matter intake and milk production responses in different research studies based on effects on nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation characteristics. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of, and interactions between, grain source and oil supplement on the feed intake, rumen fermentation characteristics, nutrient digestibility and lactational performance of Holstein cows.
Materials and Methods Eight lactating multiparous Holstein cows (parity = 3.3 ± 1.3 and days in milk = 77 ± 22.1; mean ± SD), were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 25-d periods. Each experimental period consisted of an 18-d diet adaptation period and a 7-d collection period. Cows within a square were assigned randomly to dietary treatments. Cows were blocked into 2 squares of 4 cows each based upon milk production, and days in milk, and within blocks were assigned to 1 of the 4 experimental diets with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: 1) BF = barley-based diet supplemented with fish oil at 2% of dietary DM, 2) BS = barley-based diet supplemented with soybean oil at 2% of dietary DM, 3) CF = corn-based diet supplemented with fish oil at 2% of dietary DM, and 4) CS = corn-based diet supplemented with soybean oil at 2% of dietary DM. The TMR amounts offered and refused were measured daily for each cow and DMI determined daily for each cow. Cows were milked three times daily at 0200, 1000, and 1800 h in a herringbone milking parlor. Milk yield for all cows was recorded and sampled at each milking during the last 7 d of each period. Milk samples were composited in proportion to milk yield, preserved with potassium dichromate, stored at 4°C, and analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, and total solids using an infrared analyzer (MilkoScan 134 BN; Foss Electric, Hillerød, Denmark). At the end of each experimental period, rumen samples were obtained at 4 h after the morning feeding using the stomach tube technique. Rumen pH was determined immediately after the samples were collected using a mobile pH meter (HI 8314 membrane pH meter, Hanna Instruments, Villafranca, Italy). Rumen fluid samples were acidified by sulfuric acid and analyzed for volatile fatty acid by gas chromatography (model no. CP-9002 Vulcanusweg 259 a.m., Chrompack, Delft, the Netherlands). Two fecal grab samples per cow were taken from the rectum twice daily across day 19 to 23 of each period and frozen at −20°C until analyzed. Acid detergent insoluble ash was used as an internal marker to determine apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility. Data were composited within period and analyzed with the MIXED MODEL procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, 2003) to account for effects of square, period within square, cow within square, treatments (grain source and oil supplement), and the interaction between grain source (barley vs. corn) and oil supplement (fish oil vs. soybean oil).
Results and Discussion Apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.05) and ether extract (P Conclusion Results indicated that grain source and oil supplement do not interact to affect productive performance of lactating cows. Due to lowering DM intake, feeding fish- vs. soybean-oil, but not changing diets fermentability, did not influence production performance of lactating cows.

Application of nutritional strategies to reduce dietary crude protein proportion by maintaining production performance and/or using a protein source with lower degradability in the rumen is able to reduce ruminal ammonia N and blood urea N and has a positive effect on production and reproduction performance. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of soybean processing (roasted soybean and extruded soybean and combination of roasted soybean and extruded soybean) compared with soybean meal on milk yield, NH3N concentration, and milk urea nitrogen concentration in Holstein dairy cows with four multiparous (DIM=113 ± 14) and four primiparous (DIM=96 ± 20) were used in a replicate 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments included: 1) 13.88% of diets dry matter (DM) as soybean meal; 2) 15.22% of diet DM as roasted soybean; 3) 15.55% of diet DM as extruded soybean; and 4) 7.69% of diet DM as extruded soybean and 7.69% of diet DM as roasted soybean. N intake was higher in soybean meal treatment than soybean processing. Milk production was similar among treatments (P>0.05). Although parity had no significant effect on percentage of milk protein, but the yield of protein (P=0. 07) was higher in PP cows than MP cows. Plasma urea N (11.19 vs. 14.90 mg/dl) and milk urea N (10.58 vs. 13.10 mg/dl) reduced significantly in the diets containing processed soybean. Results indicated that replacement of processed soybean for soybean meal did not affect feed net outcome, but decreased plasma urea N and also milk urea N.

The effect of feeding roasted- or extruded soybean and their equal combination instead of soybean meal on feed intake, milk yield and milk composition, meal pattern and chewing behavior was evaluated using four multiparous (DIM = 113 ± 14) and four primiparous (DIM = 96 ± 20) Holstein dairy cows. Cows were used in a replicate 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Experimental diets were: 1) diet containing soybean meal (13.88% of dietary DM); 2) diet containing roasted soybean (15.22% of dietary DM); 3) diet containing extruded soybean (15.55% of dietary DM); and 4) diet containing equal blend (7.69% of dietary DM) of roasted- and extruded soybean. Feed intake, sorting index, meal pattern, and chewing behavior were measurement using standard procedures. Milk yield and milk composition, dry matter intake, meal size and inter-meal interval were not influenced by experimental diets. Although both meal length and total eating time tended (P=0.06) to be increased for primiparous vs. multiparous cows, eating rate (P=0.06) and dry matter intake (P=0.01) were greater for multiparous cows. Experimental diets had no effect on sorting index. Number of rumination bouts and total rumination time were greater for primiparous vs. multiparous cows. Results indicated that milk yield, dry matter intake, feeding pattern, and chewing activity were not influenced by feeding processed soybean instead of soybean meal.